Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter: 7- Fair Play with the concerned video

Summary

Jumman Shaikh and Algu Chaudhary were very good friends. They were known for their loyalty and service to each other. Their friendship was a support to their families as well. The village people respected them a lot for this.

Jumman’s aunt transferred her property to Jumman on the condition that he would look after her throughout her remaining life. But after a couple of years Jumman and his wife changed their behaviour. She was not treated well by them and had to face a tough time. She was not given food. When things went beyond limits, she spoke to Jumman and asked him to give her some money on a monthly basis so that she could run her house independently. Jumman neglected her words and insulted her. So, she dared to  take the matter to the Panchayat. She chose Algu, Jumman’s best friend, as her head Panch. Being a Panch Algu had no choice but to speak the truth. He gave his judgment in  aunt’s favour. Now Jumman had to pay a fixed monthly amount to his aunt as per the judgment. Somehow, Jumman was not able to take this in the right spirit. He developed hatred against Algu.

Few days later, Algu was caught up in a fix (difficult situation). One of his pair of bullocks died so he sold his other bullock to Samjhu Sahu. He was supposed to pay money within a month. But alas!  The sold bullock died before the expiry of the period of the payment. So, Samjhu was not ready to pay money to Algu. Now  Algu was left with no other option but to take  the case to the Panchayat.This time, Samjhu Sahu appointed Jumman, now, enemy of Algu as the head Panch. As the head Panch Jumman realized that the responsibility of a head Panch is above everything in this world. Algu was afraid of losing the case but Jumman had to speak  the truth. So he  gave judgment in his favour and ordered Sahu to pay the money to Algu.

Algu was so overwhelmed that he declared aloud that the voice of the Panch is the voice of God.

C. Answer the following questions.

1. “Then the situation changed.” What is being referred to?

2. When Jumman’s aunt realized that she was not welcome in his house, what arrangement did she suggest?

3. What was the villagers’ reaction when the aunt explained her case to them?

4. Why was Jumman happy over Algu’s nomination as head Panch?

5. “God lives in the heart of the Panch.” the aunt said. What did she mean?

6. What was Algu’s verdict as head Panch? How did Jumman take it?

7. Algu found himself in a tight spot. What was his problem?

8. Why was Algu upset over Jumman’s nomination as head Panch?

9. What was Jumman’s verdict as head Panch? How did Algu take it?

10. Which of the following sums up the story best?

(i) “I also know that you will not kill your conscience for the sake of friendship.”

(ii) “Let no one deviate from the path of justice and truth for friendship or enmity.”

(iii) “The voice of the Panch is the voice of God.”

Answers

1. This is being referred to Jumman and his family. The situation where his aunt transferred the whole property to his name and after some time they started misbehaving with her.

2. She suggested Jumman to give her some amount of money to enable her to have a separate kitchen.

3. Different people had different reactions. Some pitied her, some made fun of her and some suggested her to patch up with her nephew and his wife.

4.He was happy because Algu was his best friend. He thought that his friend would never go against him.

5. She means to say that a Panch is a position of higher respect and a position holder

has no choice other than being impartial and unbiased.

6. Algu’s verdict as head Panch was that Jumman had to give some amount of money to his aunt to enable her to run her kitchen separately. Otherwise, she had every right to take her property back from him. Jumman could not take it in the right spirit and he considered Algu as his enemy.

7. His problem was that Samjhu Sahu whom he had sold one of his bullock was cheating on him and was not ready to pay him.

8. Algu was upset because at that time Jumman was his enemy. He was scared of his unjust behaviour and judgment.

9. Jumman’s verdict was that Samjhu had to pay money to Algu for the bullock he purchased from Algu as at the time of purchase he had no suffering. Algu was overwhelmed with emotion and he embraced Jumman.

10. These words “The voice of the Panch is the voice of God” It sums up the story the best.